Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti confirms he spoke to coach C. Vivian Stringer

Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti, speaking for the first time since coach C. Vivian Stringer’s controversial comments on Feb. 8th, said he called Stringer immediately upon reading what she had said.

Stringer blasted her critics in a heated exchanged with the media, calling them “crazies.” She blamed the team’s struggles this season on youth, injury and a lack of talent. She also challenged Pernetti to “step up” and address her expiring contract and alluded to the failures of the school’s other athletic teams.

“Vivian and I had a good conversation about it and that conversation is between Vivian and I,” Pernetti said at halftime of Rutgers’ 65-45 loss to Connecticut.

Asked if he was disappointed that Stringer criticized the school’s other athletic programs, Pernetti said, “”I’m not going to get into that. I had discussions with Vivian about the interview and they were good, productive discussions.”

Pernetti repeated the contract talks with Stringer, whose contract runs out on June 30, 2014, are ongoing and have been for some time. He said he won’t discuss the state of the program until after the season.

On a positive note, Pernetti was elated with the crowd of 5,378.

“It’s great,” he said. “It’s nice to have the atmosphere like this. This is what we’re used to.”